When assessing the concrete around your property, you should feel confident knowing there are ways to repair and level the concrete, bringing it back to a safe level. The traditional mudjacking method may be the term that is referred to the most, however, the advanced technology of polyjacking is a more effective and less evasive way to level concrete.
According to https://theconstructor.org/concrete/factors-affecting-strength-of-concrete/6220/, there are several Factors Affecting Strength of Concrete, including the quality of raw materials, water/cement ratio, coarse/fine aggregate ratio, age of concrete, compaction of concrete, temperature, relative humidity and curing of concrete. Many of these factors are already predetermined by the time your home is built, so there are only a few factors that we can monitor when it comes to your concrete. Those include:
- Drainage (pooling water near the concrete)
- Soil erosion
- Soil composition
- Weather Elements- flooding, droughts, ice, snow
If we really look at your soil beneath the concrete all around your property, there are thousands of types of soil across the US alone (over 500 specifically in Missouri alone!). Missouri and Kansas have clay soil, which when dried out, will shrink, and alternative when wet will expand. For more information on the soil composition and how it affects your concrete, and even your foundation, check out this article: Why is Soil Important to Your Foundation.
If we look at the spring weather in the Midwest, March through May are typically pretty wet, and even flooding can be normal. The concrete around your home can really be impacted by the wet weather, as it will gain moisture, hold it in, and ultimately expand the soil. In addition, flooding can cause pooling or puddling water around your home’s concrete, specifically your sidewalks, garage, porch, patio, driveway, or even around your foundation. This can result in cracks in your the concrete.
How Does Polyjacking Work?
Polyjacking is the industry’s most effective method for concrete lifting and leveling sunken concrete. Although this is similar to the mudjacking process, polyjacking uses a high-density foam called polyurethane. Below are the three steps involved in the polyjacking process.
RELATED: What is polyjacking?
Step 1) Injection holes (tiny, 5/8″) are strategically drilled around the areas where the concrete is sunken and requires lifting.
Step 2) Once everything is prepped and the hose and materials are in place, the polyurethane foam is injected through the holes which fills the space underneath the concrete slab. This will use the concrete slab itself to drive the foam into the crevices. This will lift the concrete back to its original level.
Step 3) Upon completion of leveling the concrete, the injection holes are filled discretely with new cement. This allows you to use your surface immediately.
What Areas Can Be Polyjacked
The following concrete areas around a residence or commercial property that can be polyjacked include:
Why Choose Polyjacking vs. Mudjacking?
There are many reasons why polyurethane is used as an alternative concrete repair method, but here are the most common reasons:
- Smaller holes: With polyurethane foam, we can drill smaller holes (5/8″) into the concrete than other methods. Mudjacking requires larger holes (2-3″).
- Lightweight material: Since polyurethane foam is lightweight compared to the mudjacking slurry, it doesn’t create pressure to underlying soils. The slurry used for mudjacking is heavy, causing resettlement over time.
- Fewer holes: Polyurethane foam requires fewer holes which makes your concrete surface look cleaner afterward compared to traditional mudjacking.
- Permanent repair: Polyjacking is a long-lasting repair method, not a temporary fix. It won’t lose density or erode like mudjacking. It cures within minutes, allowing you to use the concrete surface shortly after installation.
There are several factors that can impact the concrete around your home. If you begin to notice areas that are uneven, cracking, or trip hazards, contact a reputable polyjacking company in your area. If you’re in the Kansas/Missouri area, reach out to PolyMagic for a free estimate. 816-765-4800 or click here.